Dog bites can be frightening and painful, often leaving victims unsure of what to do next. Whether you’re dealing with a minor nip or a serious wound, knowing how to respond is crucial for both your health and your legal protection. At Tolbert Beadle, our personal injury attorneys are here to guide you through the […]
Dog bites can be frightening and painful, often leaving victims unsure of what to do next. Whether you’re dealing with a minor nip or a serious wound, knowing how to respond is crucial for both your health and your legal protection. At Tolbert Beadle, our personal injury attorneys are here to guide you through the steps to take if you’ve been bitten by someone else’s dog.
Want to learn more about your rights? Visit our Dog Bite Injury Legal Services page.
1. Prioritize Medical Attention
The most important first step is to seek medical care — even if the bite seems minor. Dog bites can lead to infections such as rabies, tetanus, and cellulitis, and may also involve soft tissue damage or broken bones. Visit an emergency room, urgent care clinic, or your primary physician as soon as possible.
Tip: Keep records of your medical visits, treatment plans, prescriptions, and expenses. These will be vital if you pursue a legal claim.
2. Identify the Dog and Its Owner
Try to determine:
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- Who owns the dog: Try to get the full name, address, and contact information of the dog’s owner or handler. If the dog is a stray or unaccompanied, notify animal control immediately. Having a responsible party identified is essential for filing a legal claim and determining liability.
- Whether the dog has a history of aggression: Ask the owner — and any nearby witnesses — if the dog has bitten anyone before or shown threatening behavior (like growling, lunging, or chasing). A documented history of aggression may significantly strengthen your case and may lead to enhanced liability under Missouri law.
- If the dog is up-to-date on vaccinations, especially rabies: Confirm whether the dog is currently vaccinated, and if possible, ask to see vet records or tags. If the rabies vaccination status is unknown, you may be required to undergo a painful and costly series of rabies shots, even if the bite appears minor.
This information is essential for both your health and any future legal action. If possible, take photos of the dog, the owner’s contact information, and the scene where the bite occurred.
3. Report the Incident to Authorities
After seeking medical attention, it’s crucial to report the dog bite to local authorities, such as the animal control agency, health department, or police department—depending on your jurisdiction. This step not only protects others from potential harm, but it also strengthens your legal case.
Here’s what happens when you report a dog bite:
- Authorities will investigate the incident: Animal control or law enforcement will typically visit the scene, interview the victim and any witnesses, and try to locate the dog and its owner. If the dog is still at large, they may work to capture it safely and prevent further harm.
- An official report will be created: The authorities will document the bite in an official record, which often includes details such as the date, location, dog’s breed, nature of the injuries, and statements from both the victim and the dog’s owner. This documentation can serve as vital evidence in a personal injury claim.
- The dog may be evaluated for public safety: If the dog has a history of biting or shows signs of aggressive behavior, it may be classified as dangerous or vicious under Missouri law. This classification can have legal consequences for the owner, including fines, mandatory training, or removal of the dog.
- Verification of rabies vaccination status: Animal control will likely follow up with the dog’s veterinarian to verify if the rabies vaccine is current. If not, the dog may be quarantined for observation, and you may be required to start post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
Why this matters: Without an official report, it’s your word against the dog owner’s. Filing a report creates a legal paper trail that can help prove negligence, liability, and damages — especially in court or during settlement negotiations.
4. Document Everything
Thorough documentation is one of the most powerful tools in building a successful dog bite claim. The more evidence you can collect, the stronger your case will be — both in court and during insurance negotiations.
Here’s what to gather and why it matters:
- Photos of the injury — before and after treatment: Take clear, close-up pictures of the bite as soon as possible. Continue documenting the healing process over time to show the full extent of the injury, any scarring, or complications such as infections. This visual timeline helps demonstrate the physical impact of the bite and the need for ongoing care.
- Photos of the dog, the location, and damaged clothing: If it’s safe, photograph the dog that bit you, especially if it was unrestrained or roaming freely. Capture images of the scene where the incident occurred, including fences, gates, broken leashes, or lack of warning signs. Also, preserve and photograph any torn or bloodied clothing. These details can help establish the dog owner’s negligence and lack of control.
- Written statements from any witnesses: If anyone saw the attack, ask them to provide a written or recorded statement. Witness accounts can support your version of events and add credibility, especially if the dog owner tries to shift blame or downplay the severity of the incident.
- Medical and treatment records: Save every medical record related to the incident, including emergency room visits, follow-up appointments, prescriptions, therapy sessions, and bills. These will serve as proof of the financial and physical toll caused by the bite.
- Communication logs: Keep copies of any emails, texts, or voicemails with the dog’s owner, their insurance company, animal control, or medical professionals. This creates a detailed timeline of your actions and interactions following the attack.
Tip: Organize all of this information in a dedicated folder or digital file. Your attorney will use this evidence to build a compelling case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
5. Avoid Speaking With Insurance Adjusters Alone
The dog owner’s insurance company may reach out to settle the claim quickly. However, these offers often undervalue your injuries. Don’t agree to anything, sign papers, or give recorded statements without speaking to a personal injury lawyer.
6. Know Missouri Dog Bite Laws
In Missouri, dog bite laws follow a strict liability standard. That means a dog owner can be held liable for injuries their pet causes — even if the dog had never bitten anyone before or wasn’t known to be dangerous.
You may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Special Considerations for Delivery Drivers
If you were delivering packages, food, or performing services when you were bitten (such as working for FedEx, UPS, Amazon, Spark, DoorDash, or another delivery or gig platform) you may have two separate claims:
- Workers’ Compensation Claim:
As an employee you may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits through your employer or the company’s insurance provider. This could cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and any temporary or permanent disability. - Liability Claim Against the Dog Owner:
Missouri law allows you to pursue a separate personal injury claim against the dog’s owner. This is known as a third-party claim and may cover damages that workers’ comp does not — such as pain and suffering, scarring, emotional trauma, and future medical costs.
Example: A FedEx driver bitten while placing a package on a front porch may receive workers’ compensation and also sue the homeowner for failing to restrain their dog.
8. Contact a Dog Bite Attorney
Navigating a dog bite claim can be complex, especially when insurance companies are involved. The personal injury attorneys at Tolbert Beadle have experience holding negligent dog owners accountable and recovering compensation for victims.
Don’t wait. In Missouri, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is five years but the sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
Schedule a Free Consultation Today
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, contact Tolbert Beadle today. We’ll help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Call us at 1-800-887-4030
Serving Springfield, Jefferson City, Columbia, and surrounding Missouri areas
